Our Attitude Toward The Bible The many differences between churches can be explained by differing...

Our Attitude Toward The Bible

The many differences between churches can be explained by

differing attitudes about the Bible

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Introduction

• Many denominations claim to follow the Bible as the Word of God but differ widely in beliefs and practices

• Most local churches calling themselves churches of Christ claim to follow the Bible as the Word of God but differ greatly in beliefs and practices

• Where do these differences among churches come from?

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Introduction

• Further, why have so many groups changed their teachings over the years?

• Has what the Bible says changed?• Many groups now accept and approve

homosexuals• People divorced for any reason and

remarried are now accepted• Women teaching over men in public

assemblies are now accepted

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Introduction

• What has caused these changes is a change in attitude toward the Bible

• Our attitude toward the Bible directly affects what we believe to be true and how we apply Scripture

• If we believe Jesus is the Son of God and Lord over all, then we should imitate His attitude toward the Scriptures (sacred writings)

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Jesus’ Attitude Toward Scriptures

• We are not saying we should follow the Law of Moses like Jesus did because we are under the New Covenant today

• But we should follow His attitude He displayed toward Scriptures making application to the New Testament

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Jesus Believed And Responded To All The Scriptures Said

Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Mat 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

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Mat 5:19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

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Luk 24:25 And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Luk 24:26 "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"

Luk 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

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Luk 24:44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

Luk 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

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Jesus Recognized Absolute Authority of Scriptures

Mat 4:2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Mat 4:3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

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Luk 10:25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

Luk 10:26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"

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Luk 10:27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

Luk 10:28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."

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Jesus Accepted Every Word As God Gave It Without Change

Mat 22:31 "But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:

Mat 22:32 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

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The Scriptures Claim To Be Inspired By God

• The Scriptures claim to be Inspired by God, God-breathed words – not word of man’s wisdom

• Men who wrote the Bible claimed to be guided by the Holy Spirit in what they spoke and wrote

• The Scriptures include both Old and New Testaments

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2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

2Ti 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

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2Pe 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

2Pe 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

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1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

1Co 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

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Eph 3:3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.

Eph 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

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Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

Eph 3:6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

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The Scriptures Include Old And New Testaments

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

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2Pe 3:15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

2Pe 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

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1Ti 5:17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

1Ti 5:18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

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Luk 10:7 "Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.

Mat 10:10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

Deu 25:4 "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.

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Joh 10:33 The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God."

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'?

Joh 10:35 "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

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Joh 10:36 do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?

Psa 82:6 I said, "You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

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Luk 24:44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

Luk 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

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We Should Imitate Jesus’ Attitude Toward Scripture

1. He believed and responded to all the Scriptures said

2. He recognized absolute authority of Scriptures

3. He accepted every word as God gave it without change

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Important Bible Claims

1. The Scriptures claim to be inspired by God

2. New Testament claims to be God’s final revelation

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New Testament Claims To Be God’s Final Revelation

• Around 40 different men over at least 1500 years revealed God’s message in 66 books of the Bible

• In Genesis, prophets pointed to God’s establishing a special relationship with Israel governed by the Old Covenant, Law of Moses

• Prophets of Israel and Judah point to a New Covenant for both Jew and Gentile based on Jesus’ perfect sacrifice

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New Testament Claims To Be God’s Final Revelation

• Apostles and prophets revealed the New Testament

• But, the apostles and prophets plainly state the New Testament is God’s final Word

• Instead of pointing to future revelation, they warn all not to depart from what is written by listening to those who claim further revelation from God

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New Testament Completes God’s Gradual Revelation

Heb 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

Heb 1:2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

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Joh 17:8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

Joh 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

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Joh 16:12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

Joh 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

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1Co 2:13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.

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Heb 2:3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,

Heb 2:4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

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Warnings Not To Go Beyond The New Testament

Gal 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

2Th 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

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Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

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Jud 1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Groups That Believe Continued Revelation And Miracles

1. Roman Catholic Church

2. Mormons

3. Seventh Day Adventists

4. Jehovah’s Witnesses

5. Pentecostals

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Truth In Scriptures Is Not Contradictory

• Common for people today to believe the Bible upholds contradictory teachings

• But, Truth is not contradictory

• By this we mean if one thing is true, then all else must be rejected as not true

• To find truth, we must search the Scriptures and make conclusions based on all the Word says in context

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Mat 4:5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

Mat 4:6 and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

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Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

Gal 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

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Example of Making Scriptures Contradictory

1. Many ways to God instead of one way to God through Jesus

2. Many ways to become a Christian instead of one way to become a Christian through belief, repentance, confession and baptism for remission of sins

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Example of Making Scriptures Contradictory

1. Many different churches instead of Jesus’ one church

2. Many different justifiable reasons for divorce instead of one, for fornication

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God’s Silence Does Not Permit But Restricts

• What do we do when God is silent on a subject?

• We can view His silence as either permissive (prominent view) or restrictive

• The Scriptures reveal God’s silence is restrictive

• To go beyond God’s silence is sinful

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1Co 2:10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

1Co 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

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2Jn 1:9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

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Heb 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

Heb 7:12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

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Heb 7:13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

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Teachings Resulting From Disrespecting God’s Silence

1. Infant baptism

2. Roman Catholic pope

3. Instrumental music in worship

4. Women teaching over men

5. Local churches funding entertainment from treasury

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Study The Scriptures Reverently

1Th 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

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Study The Scriptures Reverently

Act 10:33 "So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

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Study The Scriptures Honestly and Eagerly

Luk 8:15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Act 17:11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

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Study The Scriptures In Order To Obey God’s Word

Jas 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Jas 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

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Study The Scriptures In Order To Obey God’s Word

Jas 1:24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

Jas 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

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We Should Imitate Jesus’ Attitude Toward Scripture

1. He believed and responded to all the Scriptures said

2. He recognized absolute authority of Scriptures

3. He accepted every word as God gave it without change

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Important Bible Claims

1. The Scriptures claim to be inspired by God

2. New Testament claims to be God’s final revelation

3. Truth in Scriptures is not contradictory

4. God’s silence does not permit but restricts

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